UK motorists are facing a new £52 annual charge following Ofgem's energy price cap increase that took effect on July 1. The maximum energy fee rose from 24.67p/kWh to 26.11p/kWh, directly impacting the country's two million electric car owners who charge at home.
Impact on Electric Vehicle Owners
Experts at WhatCar? calculated that larger vehicles such as SUVs could pay up to £52.12 more per year due to the increase. Smaller models like the Renault 5 would see a smaller rise, with average bills increasing by £22.06 annually. The typical EV driver charges their vehicle the equivalent of 33.3 times per year, according to WhatCar?.
The latest Ofgem increase covers the period from July 1 to September 30, meaning drivers will face elevated costs for at least another two months.
Mitigating the Extra Costs
Claire Evans, WhatCar?’s consumer editor, advised: “The electricity price cap increase is bad news for all consumers, including EV drivers, but there are ways of mitigating the extra cost. Do your research on the best EV home charging tariffs to ensure you’re on the cheapest option, take advantage of affordable workplace charging if you can, and look for off-peak deals and special offers on the public charging network.”
According to Carwow experts, a typical electric car uses around three to four miles of range per kWh. Under the new rates, driving 1,000 miles could cost between £65 and £85 in electricity. Charging a 60kWh battery from empty would cost approximately £15.67.
Electric Cars Still Cheaper to Run
Despite the increase, specialists noted that electric cars remain typically cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles. The price cap rise also adds around £221 per year to the average household energy bill, affecting all consumers.
Gordon Wallis, energy expert at Your NRG, commented: “Many households won't immediately feel the impact of the price rise because energy usage tends to be lower during summer. However, that can create a false sense of security. The decisions people make now could have a significant impact on what they pay during the colder months when energy consumption increases.”
